The Kansas City Chiefs have announced Coach of the Week honors for the sixth week of the season. The awards go to University Academy's Ryan Heffley and DeSoto's Brian King.
The 2017 High School Coach of the Week fueled by Gatorade is a joint initiative of the Kansas City Chiefs and the National Football League. This program is designed to recognize and reward Kansas City area high school coaches for superior performance on a weekly basis. The Chiefs Coach of the Week award is intended to honor individuals who are shaping today's youth and tomorrow's leaders.
University Academy edged Van Horn 14-13 to improve to 6-2 this season. The win also secured the first conference championship in school history. Before 2016, the Gryphons were an independent. Last season they moved into the Crossroads Conference and this year, University Academy clinched the title with the win over Van Horn.
"It's a great honor for our staff and players," Heffley said. "We have a great staff and kids and it's nice for them to get recognition."
DeSoto shut out Baldwin 42-0 to improve to 6-0 on the season. It was the Wildcats third shutout of the season.
"I am honored to accept this recognition on behalf of our team and coaching staff," King said. "It has truly been the hard work of the players and assistant coaches that has earned this recognition for our school and community. It has been their commitment to our program, and willingness to work year-round, which has made this possible. I would not be able to accept this award without their efforts, and I am honored and humbled to be selected as Chiefs Coach of the Week."
As a result of this honor, both schools will receive a $500 player health and safety grant from the Hunt Family Foundation and each school will receive a Gatorade Sideline Kit, including coolers, bottles and Gatorade products. Additionally, both coaches will be presented congratulatory footballs autographed by Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid and a certificate recognizing their selection. King is now qualified for the Missouri Coach of the Year Award, while Heffley is now qualified for the Eric Driskell Kansas Coach of the Year Award, both of which will be voted on later this fall. Prior to the 2017 season, the Kansas City Chiefs announced that the Kansas High School Coach of the Year Award would be renamed in memory of Eric Driskell, the former head coach at Blue Valley High School. Driskell was a three-time award recipient during his seven years with the football program and spent 14 years as the head coach of the boys' track and field teams. Driskell suddenly passed away in mid- February.
